https://sbs.arizona.edu/project/consciousness/report_poster_detail.php?a...

Abstract Details

Integration of Aparavidya, Paravidya and Personal Inner Experience for Consciousness Research Ranjeet Kaur Satsangi , Dr. Sona Ahuja (Pedagogical Sciences, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, Uttar Pradesh India) C16 Consciousness, is what, why, how are the questions of utmost debate right from very existence of mankind. In a general sense, it can be explained as awareness of knowing. Awareness of knowing that we know. Consciousness is not a concrete thing that can be seen, smelled, listened or tasted through our physical sense organs. It can be understood as subtle energy pervading our total existence like fragrance in the flower. It is not the vital property of living beings only. It encompasses the whole universe- animate or inanimate. Even the smallest atom of the element has a consciousness of its own kind. This is the reason why the whole universe is operating in accordance with certain laws which we call laws of nature. Consciousness has various levels. The level of consciousness existing in non-living things is lower than the level of consciousness of plants. In the same way, the level of consciousness of plants is lower than the level of consciousness in animals. Even in human beings, the level of consciousness varies form man to man. It varies according to age and educational level. Consciousness has many dimensions too, starting form consciousness about the self, about one's own physical body, about one's emotions, about environment (physical and social), about spirituality and so on. Thus, to understand consciousness we cannot depend upon one discipline only. Right from ancient times, knowledge has two major categories, the Aparavidya and Paravidya. Aparavidya is knowledge of the material world that we attain by our sense organs and which is useful in living in this world. Paravidya is the knowledge of the meta-world, the world beyond the physical limits. This was attained by our ancient Rishis and Saints by making their hidden centres present in their brain, kinetic through regular mediation or Sadhna, under the guidance of a Guru. This knowledge is present in our ancient scriptures, religious books and bachhans and bani of Saints like Sant Kabir, Guru Nanak, Jagjeevan Sahab, Paltu Sahab, Sant Tulsi Sahab of Hathras and also Saints of Radhasoami Faith. Therefore in order to understand the subtle intricacies of consciousness, we need to understand it through the vantage points of various disciplines of Aparavidya like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Neuroscience, Psychology, Philosophy, etc. Also, we need to understand it through our ancient scriptures like Vedas, Upanishads, Geeta, Bible, Quran, etc. But these scriptures can only give theoretical knowledge about consciousness which is just Vachakgyan. In fact, consciousness is a personal experience. To achieve highest level of consciousness is the goal of human existence and is the birth right of each individual human entity. To realize its bliss within is a personal experience. This can be attained through constant meditation or most precisely Surat-Shabd-Yoga under the guidance of an able Guru (Shabd Guru). Thus, to conclude it is only through the integration of Aparavidya, Paravidya and personal experience that we can fully understand consciousness. Aparavidya, Paravidya, Inner Experience

1 of 1

6/17/2012 10:11 PM